Kimberly Menozzi, Author
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The Next Big Thing!

19/9/2012

12 Comments

 
“The Next Big Thing”

Author Debra Suzanne Ingram tagged me to take part in “The next big thing” and answer ten questions about my current work in progress. I hope you'll find it enlightening.

What is the working title of your next book?
The working title is (and hopefully will remain through publication) 27 Stages.

Where did the idea come from?
While watching the 2009 Tour de France and daydreaming about what went on behind the scenes, wishing I could be a part of that, somehow. When I read an interview with a rider where he described life on a cycling team as being a monastic experience - limited time with family and loved ones, rigid schedules and controlled environments - I wondered about what it would happen if a rider challenged that, or tried to get around that to be with someone. One thing led to another and 27 Stages was born.

What genre does your book fall under?
This one, at the moment, falls under the extremely broad category of "Contemporary Fiction" - it has a little of everything, but focuses on the growing relationship between the male and female lead and also their other relationships, both personal and professional.

What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is probably one of the first stories I've worked on where I honestly couldn't pin down an actor for each character. A few have had some obvious - or not-so-obvious - actors for their parts (Charles, Jerzy and Rom, for example) but the principal roles of Abby and Federico haven't had actors to portray them on the screen in my head. Yet. I have shared who I've had in mind while writing them, though, in a previous post on this blog.

What is the one sentence synopsis of your book?
A cycling race and an unfaithful husband join two different journeys of self-discovery, where holding back proves to be the best way to get ahead. 

Will your book be self published or represented by an agency?
I'm submitting this one to agencies first. If nothing comes of that, I'll be putting it out with Good to Go Press.

How long did it take you to write the first draught of the manuscript?
Three years. It would have been completed in a record nine months, but there were many setbacks in my personal life which prevented me from focusing on the manuscript. Those, combined with the final revisions/publication/problems with Ask Me if I'm Happy over that same time period, created massive delays.

What other books would you compare this story to within the same genre?
I have to be honest and say I haven't yet read any books which might be in the same genre as 27 Stages. I've held off reading any of them while writing the book because I didn't want to unconsciously imitate other writers' styles, nor did I want to read their work (I have a copy of what is supposed to be the greatest cycling novel ever, The Rider by Tim Krabbe) and feel devastatingly inferior.

Who or what inspired you to write this book?
It really did come from watching the 2009 Tour de France and observing the often antagonistic relationship between the riders on the Astana team - the team politics were fascinating to me. When you read now what was going on between Armstrong and Contador, or what goes on behind-the-scenes of any big race or any team with "superstar" riders, it really is absolutely intriguing.

What else about your book might pique the readers interest?
While the race details are written in a way that even non-fans will be able to follow, 27 Stages is also a love story and a story of self-discovery and personal growth. It has humor and heart and is an engaging read for both men and women. There really is something for just about everyone in it.

And now, I'm tagging this author to share information on her current work-in-progress next Wednesday (that's September 26th):

My wonderful critique partner, Nell Dixon!

And I'm tagging back Debra Suzanne Ingram, too. Thanks for tagging me, Debra!

Ciao for now!
12 Comments
Francine Howarth link
20/9/2012 06:46:56 am

There's nothing like a bit of sporting adventure as a backdrop to a romance - so many levels of stress, emotions and sheer dogged determination to succeed and win! Great post, and good promo! ;)

best
F

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
20/9/2012 07:55:09 am

Thank you, Francine - I just hope agencies and readers will agree with you. ;-)

Reply
Miriam Wakerly link
20/9/2012 07:52:55 am

This looks REALLY interesting and one that avid Tour de France fans would be keen to read. Lots of conflict and torn emotions coming up :-)

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
20/9/2012 07:57:24 am

With a little luck, it'll also encourage readers to check out other races - perhaps even local ones - to see what it's like for themselves. As for the story, well, I certainly hope I've evoked those emotions and conflicts for the reader. Only time will tell... *crosses fingers*

Reply
Gilli Allan link
20/9/2012 09:47:27 am

Good luck with this. Sounds an interesting backdrop. And cycling, particularly road racing, has risen in the public consciousness in the recent months! The unisex themes could help it to sell well across the board.
(I was interested that you had no one in mind as actors, when you wrote it. Nor did I. Nor ever have. But the question made me focus and search for actors who came close to the images I have in my head. It was fun!)

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
20/9/2012 10:13:43 am

Thank you, Gilli. I've got high hopes for this one - even higher than I had for Ask Me if I'm Happy, to be honest. My hope is that people will get caught up in the story and see the parallels between the characters' lives, and see why they're drawn together so powerfully in spite of the restrictions in their lives.

As I said in the post, I had people in mind for nearly all the characters - if only on a visual level - but I only saw a few of them with actors playing their parts (if that makes sense). The rest were inspired by people I've seen in the sport or in the real world around me. Now, of course, all of them are their own "people" in my head. Still, it's fun to play casting director from time to time... :)

Reply
Suzy Turner link
20/9/2012 10:53:12 am

As a newbie cyclist myself, I must admit that I find this quite intriguing!!

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
20/9/2012 11:18:04 am

Yay! I hope you'll get a chance to read it relatively soon, too. :)

Reply
Chris Longmuir link
20/9/2012 10:56:15 am

I've enjoyed following and reading everyone's next big thing. I did my one last week and the questions really make you think.

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
20/9/2012 11:19:17 am

I have too - and it's fascinating to see how each writer regards his/her work while it's "in progress", isn't it?

Reply
Eileen Schuh link
20/9/2012 01:46:45 pm

What an interesting event around which to build a story. "...holding back proves to be the best way to get ahead" is an intriguing pitch line.

Reply
Kimberly Menozzi link
21/9/2012 05:49:00 am

Here's hoping an agent or editor will agree with you about that pitch line!

I know there have been a few novels based around cycling races. I know that there has even been a sort of chick-lit book (at least one!) based around the Tour de France.

I wanted to invent a race and tell the story of two people who have to deny themselves what they desire in the moment in order to get what they desire most in their lives.

I think I've managed to do that.

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    Kimberly Menozzi

    Author. Happily Married. Survivor of life with two deranged kitties.

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